Complexation of uranyl ion by three polyacrylamide type polymers: Electrochemical preparation and leaching tests investigations

We describe an original process for the treatment of low level activity rad ioactive liquid wastes. It deals with the electrochemical preparation of th ree polyacrylate polymers: polyacrylamide (PAam), polyacrylamidoglycolic ac id (PAAG), polyacrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid (PAMPS) which are capab le of complexing uranyl ions. We have demonstrated the complexation of uran yl by FT-IR and UV-Visible spectroscopy. All these complexes are soluble in water and we insolubilize in turn the complexes by crosslinking or by neut ralization of positively charged complexes by the addition of polyanions to the medium. We have then done dynamic and static leaching tests on these i nsoluble complexes.